Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Town Marshal

Will R. Hanshaw

Batavia Marshal's Office — Batavia, IA

Felonious

End of Watch August 1, 1917

Age 40

The Vigil Panel 32 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Marshal Hanshaw was shot and killed by a suspect who was high on morphine and threatening citizens of the town with a rifle. He went to the man's home and was attempting to reason with him when the man suddenly grabbed the rifle and shot him. The marshal was able to return fire hitting the suspect twice. Several citizens arriving on the scene shot and killed the suspect.

Survivors

Marshal Hanshaw was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IA-E0AEB4A3
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Will. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Hanshaw served with the Batavia Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Batavia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Hanshaw.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Batavia Marshal's Office

Location Batavia, IA

Platform Identity bmarshal.jefferson.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 1, 1917

Age 40

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Shot and killed

Town Marshal Will R. Hanshaw is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Batavia Marshal's Office

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

IA — Statewide

129

of 226 officers

57.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Will R. Hanshaw's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Will R. Hanshaw Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Will R. Hanshaw is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Will R. Hanshaw was killed by rifle.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518